How to Build a simple sturdy "L" shaped computer desk?

Question

I would like it about 28" hight and about 59" long on each side to fit in my corner of my living room. It should not extend from the back of the wall to the front of the desk any more than about 19-20". I have no idea and cannot seem to make a drawing of what I need. any help would be appreciated. also, if someone knows of a desk like this already made and for sale on a website, please direct me to it.. I dont want to spend any more that about $150 - $180 for it. Thats why I thought I would get my own material and build it myself. Dont need no fancy drawers as I will put a 24 1/2" file cabinet under one end. No sliding keyboard tray needed as I may add that later.keyboard tray needed either. Thank you..

Answer 1

For your situation, if I was looking; I'd probably just look into pre made "GLIT" corner units,,, not necessarly strictly related to comps, but there are dozens of retail resources. CULLED pieces from a place that sells counter tops can be adapted and used as well.

For a DIY project,,,and if you aren't so worried over aesthetics; just buy plywood to the size you need. As I type this I have a section of a laminate desk top sitting on milk crates. The comp isn't at all offended.

Assume the File cabinet is one means of support; but may have to be built up to a height most comfortable for your use. my TOP is currently 23 inches.

In the corner, you could Overlap your two major top pieces and with whatever table top stuff you have, NOT have that overlap be an issue. You might even consider another file cabinet for the opposite perimeter of the top. To keep the corner at the same height you might just shop a thrift store,,,even for an old bed night stand,,,and it will have drawers or a door for more strorage, such as Printer paper.

Just one old NON tech Wolfs suggestion.

Steven Wolf

Answer 2

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Answer 3

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Answer 4

1. Your problem would be the angle, it has to match the angle of your walls. So even though, you may want to have it cut at a 45 degree angle, that may not be what your walls are. So you have to calculate the angle of the walls to make the cut.

2. Go to the angle where the walls come together ( where the 'L' will make the turn - The corner).
3. Use a carpenter's square, and a piece of paper. I will assume you are facing the wall and the turn is to your left. Place the paper on the floor tight against both wall.
4. Stand the carpenter's square on edge so that short leg of the square is right in the corner pointing upward, and the long leg runs across the paper - trace the angle on the paper.
5. You should have a diagonal line on the paper going from the upper right to the lower left.

6. Now pick any point on that line drawn - say about 1/4 the way down on the line, for example, and draw a line from that point directly to each wall - one line all the way to the right, the other line all the way to the top. This will give you a square with a diagonal line in it.
7. Measure each of these straight lines from the wall to " The point"
8. Lets suppose you measure the top wall to be 10 inches and the other straight line is 14 inches to the wall. This is the " slope of your line"
You now want to do the math, " Rise / Run" (The height of your square) / ( the length of your square)

In our example this is written as 10/14, and when we do the division we get (.72).

9. Now pull out the Scientific Calculator and use the Trigonmetry Function called "Arctangent" on some calculators there is a method of choosing an inverse function - you'd choose the inverse of Tangent, others list it as Tan^-1 ( which means inverse of tan(gent).

Once you figure out how to use the Arctangent on your calculator you will enter the value you got for the slope above. In this case it is "aTan(.72)."
It will return a value that is "Your Angle" in this case it returns 35.75 so you would set your miter saw at 35.75 Degrees, this is the exact angle of the wall in my example. Once cut - they two pieces will conform exactly to the wall's shape.

To convert the 35.75 to a ruler measure convert to a fraction first. 35 75/100 now simplify and your get 35 3/4 for your angle - this can be measured on a standard ruler or on a miter saw.
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Trust me, this may seem complicated the way it is written out here but it is really simple.
Just draw a line that represents your corner angle. Pick a point on that line and measure to the top wall and to the right wall. You could draw a line from the point to each wall and measure those lines. This gives you the slope and you do the division - then plug that number into the aTan(slope) and get your precise angle. Just make sure your calculator is displaying degrees and not radians.

this is the method I use for counter tops, or any other place I run into angles - the same method used by the ancients ( minus the calculator).
This is exactly what a protractor does, except doing it by hand like this is much more precise.

Your cuts and assembly will be very simplified once you have the exact cut angle of your walls. Remember, the angle does not change with the size, so even if your desk causes you to go to 50 inches from the wall the angle will be the same at three inches as it is at 50 inches, so to get your angle you don't need to measure off you actual size or actual distance you want to be from the wall.

Consider this your math lesson for the day.

Answer 5

Sturdy Desk

Answer 6

um..... OK let's try avoiding the mathematical solution above, you don't need a calculator, or an exact angle. I've built dozens of corner counter units for desks, in fact I'm using my own right now. This is how I did mine: Built the counter out of MDF and laminate; make two end panels for support; and screw two-by-two material to the wall. To avoid an unsquare corner where the two walls meet, cut an angle on the back side of the counter; this is handy for avoiding fitting in the corner and allows a space to run cables inconspicuously. When you are ready to install the desk screw the two-by material to the wall on a level plain, attach the two end panels to the wall using L brackets (if you can't find a stud where the panels will be placed you can use hollow wall anchors; and you'll want to make the end panels so there is about an inch overhang on the counter) Place the counter on top of the two-bys and the end panels and secure with wood screws and L brackets. If there is gapping along the walls, you can caulk with painters caulk; and voila you're done.

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